VIDALIA — From July 17 until July 22, five current residents, alumni and supporters of the Paul Anderson Youth Home will bike more than 500 miles to honor the home’s founder, Olympic legend and “World’s Strongest Man,” Paul Anderson. The group will bike through the Georgia cities of Vidalia, St. Simons Island and Thomasville, along with the Florida cities of Ponte Vedra Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Interlachen and Mayo.

In 1961, Anderson founded the residential home as an alternative to incarceration for young men struggling to find the God-given purpose in their lives. The 12th Annual Bike Ride continues to spread the message of the transformative work the Christian rehabilitation home has done in the lives of more than 1,200 troubled teens over the last 50 years, as well as the preventative resources it provides to parents and families.

“Before arriving at the Paul Anderson Youth Home, these five boys had reached the lowest point of their lives,” said Shane Smith, director of advancement at the Paul Anderson Youth Home. “The Bike Ride gives these young men an opportunity to share how they’ve grown physically, mentally and spiritually in their relationships with Christ as they ride together on this 500-mile journey.”

Supporters can contribute to the Paul Anderson Bike Ride by sponsoring one of the five young men participating. This year’s $200,000 fundraising goal is 12 percent of the youth home’s annual revenue and is one of three annual fundraising events for the not-for-profit Christian organization. Supporters can hear each boy’s story and donate at payhbikeride.com.

“Through this race, our hope is that every rider realizes what he is able to accomplish with hard work, self-discipline and determination,” said Smith. “The Bike Ride is more than 500 miles of physical endurance. It is a way for these boys to celebrate overcoming obstacles and to place hope in a successful future that they did not know was possible.”

Olympic gold medalist and world champion weightlifter Paul Anderson wowed audiences with the “Life that Launched a Legacy” in 1961 and his feats of strength. PAYH continues his legacy by using physical challenges to instill self-confidence and Christian character into the boys’ everyday lives. The Bike Ride uses the same principles to transform the boys’ thinking while celebrating Anderson’s historic gold medal.

Live blogs, stories, and videos by the team will be posted daily at payhbikeride.com along the way, and speaking engagements have been planned at various locations. Interviews with leadership, graduates and participants are available before and during the Bike Ride. Follow the journey, meet the boys participating in the Bike Ride and learn about sponsoring a rider at payhbikeride.com or on Facebook (Paul Anderson Ministries) and Twitter (@PAYHMinistries).